Hammered

Hammered by Kevin Hearne
The Iron Druid Chronicles, #3

Thor, the Norse god of thunder, is worse than a blowhard and a bully—he’s ruined countless lives and killed scores of innocents. After centuries, Viking vampire Leif Helgarson is ready to get his vengeance, and he’s asked his friend Atticus O’Sullivan, the last of the Druids, to help take down this Norse nightmare.

One survival strategy has worked for Atticus for more than two thousand years: stay away from the guy with the lightning bolts. But things are heating up in Atticus’s home base of Tempe, Arizona. There’s a vampire turf war brewing, and Russian demon hunters who call themselves the Hammers of God are running rampant. Despite multiple warnings and portents of dire consequences, Atticus and Leif journey to the Norse plain of Asgard, where they team up with a werewolf, a sorcerer, and an army of frost giants for an epic showdown against vicious Valkyries, angry gods, and the hammer-wielding Thunder Thug himself.

--Hammered
by Kevin Hearne
Copyright © 2011 by Kevin Hearne
Published by Del Rey


My Review

Atticus O’Sullivan wants nothing to do with Thor, but in the previous novel of the series, Hexed, he promised his vampire lawyer, Lief, that he would help him get rid of Thor in exchange for his assistance. Assistance given, Atticus must now make good on his promise. While many want Thor gone, several others warn Atticus that he would be wise to stay out of it (Jesus is your friend, and when He tells you to butt out of a situation, you really should butt out). But Atticus made a promise and he intends to fulfill it.

Also hampering his promise-keeping intent is a group of Russian demon hunters who decide Atticus is a demon and must be…hunted. These guys actually provide a bit of comic relief before Atticus takes care of them.

Meanwhile, his apprentice Granuaile continues to learn and observe and makes preparations for the future, for when Atticus returns from Asgard. And other plans, just in case he doesn’t.

Accompanied by the local werewolf pack leader, a sorcerer and one or two others with strong motives to do in Thor, Atticus travels to Asgard for the epic showdown.


Little spoiler: Atticus does return safely, but not with all of his companions. And, sadly, he and Granuaile must abandon their lives in Tempe. Find out where they travel to next in the fourth book in the series, Tricked.


I give this story FIVE STARS.